The 39 most iconic college town restaurants in the U.S.

Anyone who has ever attended college can tell you that each institution has its own unique vibe and culture. The specific school that you call your alma mater can also say scores about you, too. And we strongly believe that few things strike the core of a college’s essence than where its students choose to hang out and chow down.

Some schools have time-honored traditions that revolve around a specific local diner. At others, students rely on certain college town eateries to cure their weekend drunchies and hangovers. And even others are so rigorous their students depend on quick eateries for meals on-the-go.

So in order to show this huge diversity in cultures and dining preferences, we asked students from 39 of the most well-known colleges in the US (and Canada!) to pick one food joint in their college town that best embodies their school’s singular vibe, and this is what they told us.

These places aren’t the ones you’ll find on “Must-Eat Restaurant Hit Lists” based on high-quality food and famous chefs. These are the honest, down-to-earth joints you’ll find packed with #BrokeCollegeStudents at all hours of the day and night. And honestly, they’re probably just as excellent.

If your alma mater was awesome enough to make this list, reminisce over the good times you’ve had at your college town’s chosen eatery. And if you’re just beginning the college process, hit up these places to get an authentic feel you won’t get on your campus tour. But maybe ditch Mom and Dad first.

Cava Grill is known around AU as “the Chipotle of Greek food,” and its fast-casual vibe makes it the go-to site for Greek organization and club fundraisers. Plus, its focus on sourcing sustainable, local ingredients reinforces its status as a true DC staple and parallels AU students’ dedication to going green.

At Binghamton, nightlife consists of two steps: one, making rounds at the local bars; and two, stopping by Binghamton Hots to soak up the alcohol you consumed at said local bars.

And rather than get pissed off when you shout a nonsense order at them in your drunken haze, the extremely hospitable restaurant staff have been known to just give you a free plate of fries with your hot plate to settle you down.

If you want to experience the real Binghamton nightlife experience, you can’t go wrong with Hots at night. They also serve slightly lighter fare for lunch… if you’re into that.

What you’re getting: A hot plate, Binghamton’s take on the nearby town of Rochester’s infamous “garbage plate,” the ultimate drunchies cure. Favorites include the pulled pork and sweet potato fries hot plate and the cheeseburger and mashed potatoes hot plate. Each plate comes with a housemade hot sauce, onions, mustard and a side of Italian bread if you happen to desire more carbs.Perfect For: Quick Bite, Lunch, Late Night Drunchies, Cheap Eats

A Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Cleveland Circle—one of the main BC hangouts, a shuttle stop away from campus—Fin’s is a popular, not-too-expensive choice for birthday parties, celebrations and taking a break from the school’s rigorous academics. You’ll see BC students in their best light, laughing and sharing anecdotes, surrounded by friends.

Plus, Fin’s simple decor includes two plasma screen TVs perfect for the sports enthusiasts that make up the majority of BC’s spirited campus. For everyone else, the fish tank is pretty amusing, too. Side note: Fin’s also delivers to your dorm, which is pretty clutch.

Located right across the street from campus, T. Anthony’s is an iconic BU hangout. On weekend nights, the authentic Italian-style pizzeria is flooded with hungry students, many of whom have gotten to know the owner, Joe, and his wife personally, and photographs of the college’s athletic teams line the walls.

T. Anthony’s is a BU rite of passage: it’s the first place you go as a wide-eyed lil’ frosh. The pizzeria thrives off the fierce loyalty of its collegiate patrons. Ask any BU student, and they’ll insist that T. Anthony’s is “the best pizza in Boston.” And probably fight you if you disagree.

What you’re getting:You can’t go wrong with the classic cheese pizza, but the eggplant parm is also magnificent if you aren’t feeling a pie.Perfect For: Late Night Drunchies, Big Groups, Quick Bite

At first glance, Brunswick seems to be made up of two incompatible populations: the older townies and the budding young college students at Bowdoin. But they coexist harmoniously partly thanks to Wild Oats, which provides a warm, central hub where “all are welcome.”

There, you’ll find bubbly staff (often in costume), college students and townies intermingling and chatting over freshly baked pastries and sandwiches. As one student notes, Wild Oats captures Bowdoin’s (and the college town’s) “goofy, community-oriented and driven” nature.

Louis’ was founded in 1963 by ex-World War II army cook and Italian immigrant, Louis Gianfrancesco. Since then, the diner has transformed into a local hotspot for hungry Providence residents and Brown students alike, all of whom enjoy the lively atmosphere and hearty breakfast food.

Louis’ has even hosted an eclectic crew of notable guests, like John F. Kennedy, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, the Beatles’ George Harrison and, in 2009, Guy Fieri, when it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. And its odd hours inspired the “Louis’ Challenge,” a Brown tradition entailing staying up all night and getting your breakfast on when the diner opens at 5 am.

In a city that’s famous for its pizza, Koronet’s is definitely not even close to the best (though its ingredients are remarkably fresh), but it might have the highest size-to-cost ratio in the city.

On Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, you’ll find hordes of Columbia students competing to scarf down greasy slices “as long as your forearm and as wide as two iPhone 6’s end to end,” all while gazing at themselves in the mirrors that line the counters (there’s that indulgent, competitive Columbia vibe!).

Chances are you’ll run into the kid in your LitHum class, half of your freshman floor and your RA, and they’ll all probably be blackout drunk. If you’re looking to have a classy meal with your parents, maybe head to Community Food & Juice instead; but if you’re looking to cure mad drunchies, Koronet’s is the place.

What you’re getting: For $6, a jumbo slice of pepperoni pizza that could feed half a family, folded so you can fit it in your face. The regular slice is still big, but wholly manageable. And after a certain time of night, the wait staff pretty much stops asking for your preference and just assumes you’re going jumbo.Perfect For:Drunchies, Big Groups, Quick Bite, Cheap Eats

In an isolated college town like Ithaca, building a strong community becomes especially important. And thanks to its central location at the intersection of Collegetown and campus, as well as its focus on sourcing ingredients and staff locally,Collegetown Bagels (or CTB) is essential in uniting the town and the college.

The family-owned bagel shop is the center of Cornell daily life: kids stop by for eccentrically-named bagels (many invented by past students) and quality coffee in the morning before class, during the day while studying (thanks free WiFi!) or at night, after the bars have closed.

CTB is one of the first places you go as a freshman during orientation, and you’ll keep coming back throughout your four years. It’s as much a part of the Cornell experience as the classes, the parties and the traditions.

Dartmouth prides itself on three main things: its tight-knit community, its long-standing traditions and its president’s sweet ‘stache, and Lou’s definitely embodies the first two. A minute from the college’s main green, the diner has satisfied hungry locals, remedied hangovers and provided cakes for student birthdays since 1947.

The wait for a table can get egregiously long during prime weekend brunch hours (similar to line for pong at night in frat basements), but there’s a to-go counter and counter seating if you’re looking for something quicker.

Lou’s has become such a Dartmouth institution that it has earned its own place in the college’s repertoire of traditions. Before graduating, most students will complete the “Lou’s Challenge,” where you pull an all-nighter with your friends, then head to Lou’s for a hearty breakfast when it opens in the morning.

What you’re getting: The “Big Green,” which comes with buttermilk pancakes or French toast, eggs, breakfast meats, home fries and a choice of toast, an English muffin or a muffin. If you’re all about going big or going home (like Dartmouth students), get it with “Lou’s Cruller Donut French Toast,” which is exactly as terrifying and delicious as it sounds.Perfect For: Brunch, Big Groups, Hangover Helper

In Lancaster, one of the oldest settlements in the USA, you’ll find an interesting interplay between old and new. The city itself is humming with locals and young F&M students, but drive for less than ten minutes and you’ll probably come across an Amish resident in a horse-drawn carriage.

This strange dichotomy finds equilibrium at The Fridge, a gourmet pizza and craft beer café. Here, locals and students intermingle, and you’ll frequently run into a classmate, teammate, professor or coach unwinding over an artisanal brewski.

What you’re getting: The Fridge is famous for its 500+ types of craft beer and cider, all of which live in the giant refrigerator that spans the entire back wall (and gives the eatery its name), but their wines and cocktails are also good options. Also, the porcini mushroom, kale and gruyere flatbread pizza, made with locally-sourced ingredients, is a must-try.Perfect For: Quick Bite, Casual Drinks

Want to see the rest of the top college town food joints? Head over toSpoon Universityto read this article in its entirety.

This article originally appeared on Spoon University and was written by Tarika Narain . Spoon University is a food network for our generation, where all the content is produced by college students. They cover everything from simple recipes and local restaurants to dining hall hacks and healthy living tips. For more, check out the Spoon University site, or like their page on Facebook.

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